The Tower of Babel. Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1563

The Tower of Babel. Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1563

Here are several reasons to learn another language:

1. When you study another language for some reason….your SAT scores improve!! And the longer you study the language the better your scores are!! Perhaps it is the fact that you are applying yourself intellectually to “crack a code” almost like you do when you practice math problems. Read more about this.

2. Communication: It is said that if you can communicate with someone you can enter their world. You will be able to build a direct relationship with someone if you understand their language. If you know their language and then listen, you can directly understand their point of view. If you do decide to study abroad, your experience will be enriched by your ability to talk to the native speakers around you.

3. The world is changing. Less than 10% of the world speaks English as a first language. In several years more Americans, as they enter the Global economy, will need to speak more languages than English. Click here: (National Geographic) to read about what languages to crack…apres francais!

4. If we stay in the English bubble we will miss why we are travelling in the first place. Ten years ago it was possible to rely on English and still feel the challenge and excitement of a cross cultural experience. Now, since others are learning English as a second language, we are hidden from the magic of their culture! Their language is the secret door to understanding their culture.